Supporting multiple subscriber identities in a portable device using a single transceiver

ABSTRACT

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for enabling wireless communications for multiple numbers or subscriber identities using a single transceiver is disclosed. The method includes, for a terminal device including a transceiver for wireless communications, determining whether the terminal device supports a plurality of subscriber identities. The method also includes, responsive to determining that the terminal device supports a plurality of subscriber identities, creating a plurality of recurrent time slots for a communication channel of the terminal device, allocating for each subscriber identity a respective time slot, and enabling wireless communications for the plurality of subscriber identities using the respective time slots via the transceiver.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communication devices, such as cellular phones, personaldigital assistants, smart phones, etc., are a convenient means to stayconnected with different people (e.g., family, friends, businessacquaintances, etc.). However, users of such devices generally prefer tohave different telephone numbers for different purposes (e.g., businessversus personal). A telephone number is generally considered a uniquesubscriber identity. The subscriber identity may be defined in asubscriber identity module (SIM) card in such a device, and atransceiver (i.e., a receiver/transmitter module) is provided to supportwireless communications for the SIM. Thus, to enable multiple telephonenumbers to be supported in a single device, the device may include adistinct SIM card for each distinct telephone number and multipletransceivers (e.g., one transceiver for each SIM card).

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method andtechnique for enabling wireless communications for multiple numbers orsubscriber identities using a single transceiver is disclosed. Themethod includes, for a terminal device including a transceiver forwireless communications, determining whether the terminal devicesupports a plurality of subscriber identities. The method also includes,responsive to determining that the terminal device supports a pluralityof subscriber identities, creating a plurality of recurrent time slotsfor a communication channel of the terminal device, allocating for eachsubscriber identity a respective time slot, and enabling wirelesscommunications for the plurality of subscriber identities using therespective time slots via the transceiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present application, theobjects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a data processing system in which theillustrative embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a data processingsystem in which illustrative embodiments of a terminal device of thepresent disclosure may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method forenabling wireless communications for multiple subscriber identitiesusing a single transceiver; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method forenabling wireless communications for multiple subscriber identitiesusing a single transceiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, system andcomputer program product for enabling wireless communications formultiple numbers or subscriber identities on a terminal device using asingle transceiver. The method includes, for a terminal device includinga transceiver for wireless communications, determining whether theterminal device supports a plurality of subscriber identities, such aswhether the device includes a plurality of subscriber identity modules(SIMs) each having associated therewith a unique subscriber identity.The method also includes, responsive to determining that the terminaldevice supports a plurality of subscriber identities, creating aplurality of recurrent time slots for an internal communication channelof the terminal device, allocating for each subscriber identity arespective time slot, and enabling wireless communications for theplurality of subscriber identities using the respective internalcommunication channel time slots via the transceiver.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentdisclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take theform of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readablemedium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be acomputer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. Acomputer readable storage medium may be, for example but not limited to,an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combinationof the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer readable storage medium would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document,a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that cancontain, or store a program for use by or in connection with andinstruction execution system, apparatus or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent disclosure may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present disclosure is described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of thedisclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable medium that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

With reference now to the Figures and in particular with reference toFIG. 1, an exemplary diagram of data processing system for a terminaldevice 100 is provided in which illustrative embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be implemented. It should be appreciated that FIG. 1 isonly exemplary and is not intended to assert or imply any limitationwith regard to the environments in which different embodiments may beimplemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may bemade. Terminal device 100 includes a bus or communications fabric 102,which provides communications between processor unit 104, memory 106,persistent storage 108, communications interface 110, input/output (I/O)unit 112, and display 114. Terminal device 100 may include, but is notlimited to, a cellular phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant(PDA), or other type of portable and/or mobile communications devicehaving wireless capabilities.

Processor unit 104 serves to execute instructions for software that maybe loaded into memory 106. Processor unit 104 may be a set of one ormore processors or may be a multi-processor core, depending on theparticular implementation. Further, processor unit 104 may beimplemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systems in which amain processor is present with secondary processors on a single chip. Asanother illustrative example, processor unit 104 may be a symmetricmulti-processor system containing multiple processors of the same type.

In some embodiments, memory 106 may be a random access memory or anyother suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. Memory 106 mayinclude ROM, RAM, PROM, EPROM, smart card, subscriber identity modules(SIMs), wireless multimedia and messaging service modules (WIMs) or anyother medium from which a computing device can read executableinstructions or a computer program. Persistent storage 108 may containone or more components or devices. Persistent storage 108 may be a harddrive, a flash memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetictape, or some combination of the above. The media used by persistentstorage 108 also may be removable such as, but not limited to, aremovable hard drive.

Communications interface 110 provides for two-way communications withother data processing systems or devices. Communications interface 110may include, but is not limited to, a digital subscriber line (DSL) cardor modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, a cablemodem, or a telephone modem to provide data communication connection toa corresponding type of telephone line. As another example,communications interface 110 may be a local area network (LAN) card.Further, communications interface 110 may include peripheral interfacedevices, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a PersonalComputer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface, andthe like. Communications interface 110 also enables the exchange ofinformation across one or more wireless communication networks. Suchnetworks may include cellular or short-range such as IEEE 802.11wireless local area networks (WLANs) and the exchange of informationinvolving the transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals through anantenna.

Input/output unit 112 enables input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to terminal device 100. In someembodiments, input/output unit 112 may provide a connection for userinput through a keypad, keyboard, trackpad, mouse or other device.Further, input/output unit 112 may send output to a printer or othertype of output device. Display 114 provides a mechanism to displayinformation to a user.

Instructions for the operating system and applications or programs forterminal device 100 are located on persistent storage 108. Theseinstructions may be loaded into memory 106 for execution by processorunit 104. The processes of the different embodiments may be performed byprocessor unit 104 using computer implemented instructions, which may belocated in a memory, such as memory 106. These instructions are referredto as program code, computer usable program code, or computer readableprogram code that may be read and executed by a processor in processorunit 104. The program code in the different embodiments may be embodiedon different physical or tangible computer readable media, such asmemory 106 or persistent storage 108.

Program code 116 is located in a functional form on computer readablemedia 118 that is selectively removable and may be loaded onto ortransferred to terminal device 100 for execution by processor unit 104.Program code 116 and computer readable media 118 form computer programproduct 120 in these examples. In one example, computer readable media118 may be in a tangible form, such as, for example, an optical ormagnetic disc that is inserted or placed into a drive or other devicethat is part of persistent storage 108 for transfer onto a storagedevice, such as a hard drive that is part of persistent storage 108. Ina tangible form, computer readable media 118 also may take the form of apersistent storage, such as a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flashmemory that is connected to terminal device 100. The tangible form ofcomputer readable media 118 is also referred to as computer recordablestorage media. In some instances, computer readable media 118 may not beremovable.

Alternatively, program code 116 may be transferred to terminal device100 from computer readable media 118 through a communications link tocommunications interface 110 and/or through a connection to input/outputunit 112. The communications link and/or the connection may be physicalor wireless in the illustrative examples.

The different components illustrated for terminal device 100 are notmeant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrativeembodiments may be implemented in a data processing system includingcomponents in addition to or in place of those illustrated for terminaldevice 100. Other components shown in FIG. 1 can be varied from theillustrative examples shown. For example, a storage device in terminaldevice 100 is any hardware apparatus that may store data. Memory 106,persistent storage 108, and computer readable media 118 are examples ofstorage devices in a tangible form.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative embodiment of a data processing system 200 tosupport communications for multiple subscriber identities using a singletransceiver. System 200 may be implemented on a data processing systemor platform such as, but not limited to, terminal device 100. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, system 200 comprises a transceiver 202coupled to an antenna assembly 204 for enabling two-way wirelesscommunications. In the illustrated embodiment, transceiver 202 includesa transmitter 206 and a receiver 208 for transmitting and receivingwireless communications, respectively, via antenna assembly 204. In FIG.2, system 200 also includes a user interface 210 various types ininput/output units 212 such as, but not limited to, a microphone 214 anda speaker 216 for inputting and outputting audio signals, respectively,and a keypad 218. System 200 also includes a 220 display for visuallydisplaying various types of information to a user of system 200. Acontroller 222 is provided for enabling the control of various featuresof system 200 and/or terminal device 100. For example, controller 222may serve to execute instructions for software that may be loaded into amemory. Controller 222 may include a set of one or more processors ormay be a multi-processor core, depending on the particularimplementation. Further, controller 222 may be implemented using one ormore heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor ispresent with secondary processors on a single chip. Controller 222 mayalso comprise hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.For example, controller 222 may comprise software, logic and/orexecutable code for performing various functions as described herein(e.g., residing as software and/or an algorithm running on a processorunit, hardware logic residing in a processor or other type of logicchip, centralized in a single integrated circuit or distributed amongdifferent chips in a data processing system) such as, but not limitedto, launching and interfacing with various program applications,initiating and/or responding to a call on terminal device 100, managingand/or controlling operation of transceiver 202 and other components ofsystem 200.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, system 200 further includes adigital/analog converter 230 for converting analog signals to digitalsignals, and vice versa, a power source 232 for providing power to thevarious components of system 200, and a memory 240. Memory 240 may be arandom access memory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatilestorage device from which a computing device and/or processor unit canread executable instructions or a computer program (e.g., such ascontroller 222). In FIG. 2, system 200 includes one or more SIMs 250(identified as SIMs 250 ₁-250 _(n) in FIG. 2) each defining and/orhaving associated therewith one or more unique subscriber identities(i.e., a unique telephone number). For example, each SIM 250 may definea single subscriber identity (e.g., resulting in multiple SIMs 250 todefine multiple telephone numbers), or a single SIM 250 may be used todefine a plurality of unique subscriber identities. It should also beunderstood that unique subscriber identities may be otherwise defined insystem 200, such as using other types of cards or modules. In FIG. 2,system 200 also includes multi-subscriber identity logic 260.Multi-subscriber identity logic 260 enables two-way wirelesscommunications by terminal device 100 (e.g., with a base station server(BSS) 270 of a wireless communications network) for multiple subscriberidentities using a single transceiver. Multi-subscriber identity logic260 may comprise hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.For example, multi-subscriber identity logic 260 may comprise software,logic and/or executable code for performing various functions asdescribed herein (e.g., residing as software and/or an algorithm runningon a processor unit, hardware logic residing in a processor or othertype of logic chip, centralized in a single integrated circuit ordistributed among different chips in a data processing system).

In operation, multi-subscriber identity logic 260 utilizes time divisionmultiplexing to divide the internal transceiver (receiver/transmitter)communication channels of terminal device 100 (e.g., a control channeland a data channel) into a plurality of recurrent time slots such thateach subscriber identity is allocated a separate and distinct time slot.For ease of illustration, consider that each SIM 250 _(1-n) definesand/or otherwise has associated therewith a single subscriber identity,thereby resulting in multiple SIMs 250 to support multiple telephonenumbers. In some embodiments, the internal receiver and transmittercommunication channels are equally divided among the quantity of SIMs250 _(1-n) located or disposed in terminal device 100. In FIG. 2, thedivision of the internal receiver and transmitter communication channelsis represented by the designations T₁-T_(n). Thus, in some embodiments,multi-subscriber identity logic 260 determines a quantity of subscriberidentities supported by device 100 (e.g., by determining a quantity ofSIMs 250 residing in terminal device 100 or otherwise identifying thedifferent unique subscriber identities supported by device 100) anddivides the internal receiver and transmitter communication channels ofterminal device 100 into a corresponding quantity of recurrent timeslots such that each subscriber identity (e.g., each SIM 250 _(1-n)) isassigned to or allocated one of the recurrent time slots.Multi-subscriber identity logic 260 also controls and/or otherwiseinstructs transceiver 202 to communicate for a particular SIM 250 duringits respective allocated time slot.

In some embodiments, the time slots allocated to respective SIMs 250_(1-n) are used internally when communicating externally to interfacewith a BSS or other network device (e.g., to register the particular SIM250 with a network). As an illustrative example, time slot T₁ isallocated to SIM 250 ₁. In response to powering on of terminal device100 or another such time when use of wireless communication functions ofterminal device is desired, multi-subscriber identity logic 260determines a quantity of SIMs 250 residing on terminal device 100 andgathers information from each SIM 250. For example, multi-subscriberidentity logic 260 may read and/or otherwise identify a frequency bandof interest for each subscriber identity, a system identification code(SID) programmed for each subscriber identity, or other informationassociated with a particular subscriber identity for registering and/orotherwise establishing wireless communications with a wireless network.During time slot T₁, multi-subscriber identity logic 260 instructstransceiver to listen for communications corresponding to SIM 250 ₁'sfrequency, transmit or relay a signal strength indication to acorresponding BSS, receive a SID from a BSS and compare the received SIDwith a programmed SID for SIM 250 ₁, and/or otherwise perform handshakeand cell registration operations with BSS to register SIM 250 ₁ with thenetwork. These operations are also performed by multi-subscriberidentity logic 260 for the remaining subscriber identities (e.g.,remaining SIMs 250 _(2-n)) during the time slots allocated to therespective SIMs 250. Multi-subscriber identity logic 260 will alsoperform keep-alive operations during the time slots allocated to therespective SIMs 250 _(1-n) in response to a particular SIM 250 remainingidle for a predefined time period. For example, if communications and/oractivity relative to SIM 250 ₁ remain idle for a predefined time period,during the time slot T₁, multi-subscriber identity logic 260 will causea keep-alive signal to be sent to the BSS corresponding to SIM 250 ₁ tomaintain the wireless connection for SIM 250 ₁ in the network.

In some embodiments, multi-subscriber identity logic 260 may re-allocatetime slots between SIMs 250 _(1-n) depending on whether a call isinitiated or received during the time slot allocated to thecorresponding SIM 250. For example, if SIM 250 ₁ is allocated time slotT₁ and a call is initiated or received for SIM 250 ₁ during a time slotT₃ (e.g., a time slot allocated to SIM 250 ₃), multi-subscriber identitylogic 260 may re-allocate time slot T₃ to SIM 250 ₁ and re-allocate theremaining time slots to the remaining other SIMs 250. However, it shouldalso be understood that initiating and/or responding to a call for aparticular SIM 250 may be otherwise processed corresponding to thecurrent time slot and/or time slot allocated to the particular SIM 250.

Further, in some embodiments, in response to initiating and/orresponding/accepting a call for a particular subscriber identity,multi-subscriber identity logic 260 is configured to indicate that othersubscriber identities are busy and/or unavailable. For example, inresponse to initiating and/or responding/accepting a call for aparticular SIM 250 ₁, multi-subscriber identity logic 260 is configuredto respond to any other call received by terminal device 100corresponding to SIMs 250 _(2-n) with a busy signal/indication. However,it should be understood that in some embodiments, multi-subscriberidentity logic 260 may be configured to direct the received callcorresponding to SIMs 250 _(2-n) to voice-mail, enable a call waitingsignal to be initiated by terminal device 100, enable a user to switchbetween received calls, or other function related to the received call.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method forenabling wireless communications for multiple subscriber identities viaa single transceiver. The method begins at block 300, wheremulti-subscriber identity logic 260 determines the quantity ofsubscriber identities supported by terminal device 100. For example, insome embodiments, multi-subscriber identity logic 260 determines thequantity of SIMS 250 residing on terminal device 100 or the quantity ofsubscriber identities defined by one or more SIMs 250. At block 302,multi-subscriber identity logic 260 creates internal communicationchannel recurrent time slots for the identified subscriber identities.At decisional block 304, a determination is made whether a subscriberidentity requires registration with a network. If not, the methodproceeds to block 324. If so, the method proceeds to block 306, whereone of the recurrent time slots is allocated to the subscriber identity.At block 308, during the allocated time slot, multi-subscriber identitylogic 260 gathers, reads and/or otherwise obtains information for thesubscriber identity (e.g., such as a frequency band corresponding to thesubscriber identity). At block 310, during the allocated time slot,multi-subscriber identity logic 260 causes and/or otherwise instructstransceiver 202 to listen/scan the frequency band corresponding to thesubscriber identity. At block 312, during the allocated time slot,multi-subscriber identity logic 260 causes and/or otherwise instructstransceiver 202 to transmit a signal strength to a BSS for thesubscriber identity.

At block 314, multi-subscriber identity logic 260 receives a SID fromthe BSS corresponding to the subscriber identity. At block 316,multi-subscriber identity logic 260 compares the received SID with a SIDprogrammed for the subscriber identity (e.g., as may be programmed in aparticular SIM 250). At decisional block 318, a determination is madewhether the received SID matches the programmed SID for the subscriberidentity. If not, the method proceeds to block 324. If so, the methodproceeds to block 320, where multi-subscriber identity logic 260 causesthe current network cell to be treated as the home system for terminaldevice 100. At block 322, during the allocated time slot,multi-subscriber identity logic 260 causes and/or otherwise instructstransceiver 202 to transmit the SID and a registration request to theBSS for the subscriber identity. The BSS then registers the subscriberidentity to the network system. At decisional block 324, a determinationis made whether another subscriber identity requires registration. Ifso, the method returns to block 306 where the above-described processmay be repeated for another subscriber identity (e.g., such for anotherSIM 250) using a different allocated time slot. If not, the method ends.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method forenabling wireless communications for multiple subscriber identities viaa single transceiver. The method begins at block 400, where a call isinitiated and/or received for a particular subscriber identity onterminal device 100. At block 402, multi-subscriber identity logic 260determines the current internal communications channel time slot. Atdecisional block 404, a determination is made whether the current timeslot corresponds to the time slot allocated for the indicated subscriberidentity. If so, the method proceeds to block 410. If not, the methodproceeds to block 406, where multi-subscriber identity logic 260re-allocates the current time slot to the indicated subscriber identity.At block 408, multi-subscriber identity logic 260 re-allocates theremaining time slots to the other subscriber identities of terminaldevice 100. At block 410, multi-subscriber identity logic 260 causes thecall to be processed. At block 412, multi-subscriber identity logic 260causes other subscriber identities to be indicated as being busy inresponse to receiving another call for such other subscriber identity.The method then ends.

Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure enable wirelesscommunications for a terminal device supporting multiple numbers orsubscriber identities (e.g., multiple SIMs) using a single transceiveron the terminal device. Embodiments of the present disclosure divide aninternal communication channel of the terminal device into a pluralityof different time slots to enable different time slots to be utilized byrespectively different subscriber identities.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the disclosure and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosurefor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining a quantity ofsubscriber identities supported by a terminal device, the terminaldevice including a transceiver for wireless communications; responsiveto determining that the terminal device supports a plurality ofsubscriber identities, dividing internal receiver and transmittercommunication channels of the terminal device into a correspondingquantity of recurrent time slots; allocating for each subscriberidentity a respective time slot; and enabling wireless communicationsfor the plurality of subscriber identities using the respective timeslots via the transceiver.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:identifying a frequency band corresponding to each subscriber identity;and instructing the transceiver to listen to the frequency bandcorresponding to each subscriber identity during the time slot allocatedto the respective subscriber identity.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: identifying a frequency band corresponding to eachsubscriber identity; and instructing the transceiver to transmit asignal strength to a base station server for each subscriber identityduring the time slot allocated to the respective subscriber identity. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a systemidentification code (SID) for each subscriber identity; comparing thereceived SID with a SID programmed for the respective subscriberidentities; and responsive to determining that the received SID matchesthe programmed SID, transmitting a registration request to a basestation server for the subscriber identities during the time slotallocated to the respective subscriber identity.
 5. The method of claim1, further comprising, responsive to determining that communicationscorresponding to at least one subscriber identity are idle for apredefined time period, transmitting a keep-alive signal to a basestation server for the at least one subscriber identity during the timeslot allocated to the at least one subscriber identity.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising, responsive to receiving a communication ona data channel from a base station server corresponding to one of thesubscriber identities, responding with a busy signal for anothercommunication on a data channel for another subscriber identity of theterminal device.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:responsive to receiving a communication on a data channel from a basestation server corresponding to one of the subscriber identities,determining a current time slot of the terminal device; and responsiveto determining that the current time slot differs from the time slotallotted to the one subscriber identity, reallocating the one subscriberidentity to the current time slot.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising reallocating the remaining subscriber identities among theremaining time slots of the terminal device.
 9. The method of claim 1,further comprising: responsive to initiating a communication on a datachannel from the terminal device corresponding to one of the subscriberidentities, determining a current time slot of the terminal device; andresponsive to determining that the current time slot differs from thetime slot allotted to the one subscriber identity, reallocating the onesubscriber identity to the current time slot.
 10. A method comprising:retrieving information for each of a plurality of subscriber identitiesdefined in a terminal device, the terminal device including atransceiver for wireless communications; dividing internal receiver andtransmitter communication channels of the terminal device into aquantity of recurrent time slots corresponding to the plurality ofsubscriber identities; allocating for each subscriber identity arespective time slot; and enabling wireless communications for theplurality of subscriber identities using the respective time slots viathe transceiver.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein creating theplurality of recurrent time slots comprises creating a quantity ofrecurrent time slots corresponding to a quantity of subscriberidentities defined in the terminal device.
 12. The method of claim 10,further comprising: identifying a frequency band corresponding to eachsubscriber identity; and instructing the transceiver to listen to thefrequency band corresponding to each subscriber identity during the timeslot allocated to the respective subscriber identity.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising: identifying a frequency band correspondingto each subscriber identity; and instructing the transceiver to transmita signal strength to a base station server for each subscriber identityduring the time slot allocated to the respective subscriber identity.14. A method comprising: determining whether a terminal device supportsa plurality of subscriber identities, the terminal device including atransceiver for wireless communications; responsive to determining thatthe terminal device supports a plurality of subscriber identities,creating a plurality of recurrent time slots for a communication channelof the terminal device; allocating for each subscriber identity arespective time slot; enabling wireless communications for the pluralityof subscriber identities using the respective time slots via thetransceiver; receiving a system identification code (SID) for eachsubscriber identity; comparing the received SID with a SID programmedfor the respective subscriber identities; and responsive to determiningthat the received SID matches the programmed SID, transmitting aregistration request to a base station server for the subscriberidentities during the time slot allocated to the respective subscriberidentity.